Delaware Backstory: Several programs reflect on black heritage in Delaware

Historical interpreter Willis Phelps will portray Pvt. James H. Elbert, a member of the U.S. Colored Troops, in an interactive program next month in Dover.(Photo: DIVISION OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS PHOTO)

Willis Phelps, one of Delaware's top historical interpreters, will be featured in a program in Dover for African-American History Month.

On Feb. 1, Phelps, – known for his roles as a "Buffalo Soldier" and blacksmith at Fort Delaware, takes on the persona of Pvt. James H. Elbert of C Company in the 8th U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War.

The free show, "Ready to Fight for Freedom," is at 1 p.m. Feb. 1, at the Old State House at 25 The Green, open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. that day.

His program is one of several hosted by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs tied into the "First Saturday in the First State" program of multisite First State Heritage Park.

Also on Feb. 1, Tamara Jubilee-Shaw will give a 2 p.m. talk called "Remembering Rosedale Beach" at the Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that day.

Her research of the resort near Millsboro – one of few then open to blacks – led to a state historical marker at the site that welcomes stars such as Louis Armstrong, James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

The same day, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries in the Delaware Public Archives building at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Dover has special tours at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., using the exhibit,"An Illegal Activity: The Underground Railroad in Delaware." The exhibit continues through July, with the site open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30-4:30 Sunday.

On Feb. 1, the John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road near Dover, starts special Saturday tours about real slaves there. The site is open 10 a.m.to 3:30 p.m.

On Feb. 2, researcher Sylvester Woolford of Newark will lecture on "The Dover Eight: A Story of the Underground Railroad." His talk is at 2 p.m. at the Old State House, open 1:30-4:30 p.m. that day.

An audience-participation program at that site 1 p.m. Feb. 8 is "From Africa to the Americas via Music, Song, Dance and Stories" with presenter Kamau Ngom.

New research about Samuel D. Burris, a little-known Delaware “conductor” in the Underground Railroad, will be featured in a workshop for Black History Month.(Photo: DIVISION OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS)

New research about an Underground Railroad conductor will be shared at the "Second Annual Samuel D. Burris Workshop," 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 15. It starts at the Old State House and moves to the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries.

On Feb. 22, historian Peter Dalleo will lecture at 1 p.m. at the Old State House on "The Remarkable Solomon and Thamar Bayley," who escaped slavery.

For information about programs at the Old State House or First State Heritage Park Welcome Center, call (302) 744-5055.

An ongoing exhibit, "Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey From Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad" also details a slave's story at the New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, (302) 323-4453. The site is open 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Do you have a Delaware Backstory? Tell robin brown at (302) 324-2856, rbrown@delawareonline.com or The News Journal, Box 15505, Wilmington, DE 19850.